FEMA Seeks Comments on Updated Disaster Deductible Concept

Over the last several years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been seeking to reform the way the federal government supports states following disasters, and is continuing to explore the concept of a disaster deductible. The concept behind FEMA’s proposed disaster deductible program is to incentivize mitigation strategies, promote risk-informed decision-making and build resilience. The goal is that as disaster resiliency is improved, the cost of future events is reduced.

FEMA is committed to stakeholder engagement in exploring how the program might move forward, if at all. In 2016, FEMA sought public comments (view 2016 comments). After considering the comments, FEMA developed a fuller deductible concept model that is now available for public comment. The Supplemental Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, or SANPRM, is available for 90 days (comments due by April 12, 2017). See below for comment submittal instructions.